Science and Colonial Development 



no more than .17,544, a mere trifle, in view of 

 the results that are being obtained, if it be admitted, 

 as can scarcely be denied, that the United Kingdom 

 is responsible for the social and financial stability 

 of its colonies in the West Indies. The Depart- 

 ment publishes a full record of its general work, 

 and of its special researches, in periodical issues 

 of the West Indian Bulletin?- To give a very brief 

 summary, it may be said that some seedling canes 

 have been proved to yield more sugar, and to be 

 less liable to disease, than the older varieties ; that 

 great attention is also paid to the cultivation of 

 cacao, cotton, rubber, tobacco, and many kinds 

 of fruit ; that agriculture is being taught in the 

 primary and secondary schools ; that special 

 courses of instruction in agriculture have been 

 held for the teachers ; and that agricultural banks 

 are to be established for the benefit of the smaller 

 cultivators. Sir Daniel claims that the experiment 

 has passed beyond the pioneering stage, and that 

 relations of reciprocal confidence have been estab- 

 lished between the Department and the producers. 

 He was trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, 

 Kew, which also maintain an intimate connection 

 with the botanical institutions in Jamaica, Ceylon, 

 and the Straits Settlements, and have no less than 

 one hundred of their gardeners in official employ- 

 ment in the colonies and in India. The work in 

 the interests of the crown colonies of the present 

 director, Sir W. T. Thiselton-Dyer, and of the 

 Imperial Institute, to which reference has already 



1 To be obtained of Messrs. Dulau & Co., 37 Soho Square, W- 

 167 



